If the Bucks are barely balanced this season (11 wins – 11 losses), this is partly because their defense is no longer as renowned as a few years ago. Should we see a link with the arrival of Damian Lillard a year ago, instead of Jrue Holiday?
Not impossible, because he is known to be one of the worst defenders in the league at his position, even if the leader (26.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds) says he has progressed over time.
“ This is something I've become more concerned about in recent years. » ensures the leader, speaking of the defense. “ At the start of my career, I think that like most young players, especially those who score a lot, I had a learning phase in defense. Not only physically, but also because when you don't know the terminology and the opposing attackers well, it's a real challenge to be a good defender in the NBA. Except that with experience, it has become more a question of stories than of truth. It's not like opponents are constantly exposing me and outscoring me.…”
The stats don't speak for him
On average, the Bucks take 115.4 points per game (on 100 possessions). When Damian Lillard is present in play, this rises to 117.7 points (over 100 possessions) and, when “Dame” is present on the bench, this drops to 110.7 points (over 100 possessions).
Proof that Doc Rivers' men are more effective defensively when their leader is not on the field. Even if, conversely, they are also less effective offensively when he is not playing…
“ I was never someone who tried to hide » insists Damian Lillard in any case regarding his level of defense. “ If the opposing team attacks me, I will respond and do what is necessary. But as I said before, it's more about stories than anything else. I put my hands on the ball, I play physical, I'm in the heart of the action. But I'm not just here to show up. Sometimes it's being on the ball, sometimes it's helping, but I'm just trying to do something. »
| Damian Lillard | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2012-13 | POR | 82 | 39 | 42.9 | 36.8 | 84.4 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 19.0 |
| 2013-14 | POR | 82 | 36 | 42.4 | 39.4 | 87.1 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 20.7 |
| 2014-15 | POR | 82 | 36 | 43.4 | 34.3 | 86.4 | 0.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 21.0 |
| 2015-16 | POR | 75 | 36 | 41.9 | 37.5 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 6.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 25.1 |
| 2016-17 | POR | 75 | 36 | 44.4 | 37.0 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 27.0 |
| 2017-18 | POR | 73 | 37 | 43.9 | 36.1 | 91.6 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 | POR | 80 | 36 | 44.4 | 36.9 | 91.2 | 0.8 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 6.9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 25.8 |
| 2019-20 | POR | 66 | 38 | 46.3 | 40.1 | 88.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 8.0 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 30.0 |
| 2020-21 | POR | 67 | 36 | 45.1 | 39.1 | 92.8 | 0.5 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 28.8 |
| 2021-22 | POR | 29 | 36 | 40.2 | 32.4 | 87.8 | 0.4 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 24.0 |
| 2022-23 | POR | 58 | 36 | 46.3 | 37.1 | 91.4 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 7.3 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 32.2 |
| 2023-24 | MIL | 73 | 35 | 42.4 | 35.4 | 92.0 | 0.5 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 7.0 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 24.3 |
| 2024-25 | MIL | 19 | 36 | 45.3 | 37.4 | 92.2 | 0.6 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 7.3 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 26.2 |
| Total | 861 | 36 | 43.8 | 37.1 | 89.8 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 25.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
